He is described as tall, wearing white with a gold belt and a crown of garnets, holding the Staff of Doom in his hand. He was often called "the Wise".

History

Although Turgon was originally against the departure of the Ñoldor from Aman, he eventually did set out on the journey. After Fëanor and his sons departed using the only ships, he took his people across the dangerous Helcaraxë with his father Fingolfin. He lost his wife Elenwë in the crossing and settled at Vinyamar in Nevrast.

When he journeyed with his friend Finrod Felagund along Sirion, Ulmo sent both of them a dream to look for a hidden place where they could be safe from the power of Morgoth. Then in the following year Ulmo appeared directly to Turgon and guided him to the vale of Tumladen in the Encircling Mountains, to which Turgon later secretly moved with many of the Ñoldor, deserting Nevrast, and built Gondolin, where he ruled with the Staff of Doom in his right hand, and a coronet of garnets upon his head. At his side was Glamdring, for it was said in the Hobbit that it once belonged to the King of Gondolin.

Turgon and his people remained isolated in Gondolin for many years with his daughter Idril, who married Tuor after the man found the secret way and discovered the city.

Turgon reemerged with his host during the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, and although the battle was still lost, his intervention prevented the rout from completely destroying the armies of the Ñoldor and their allies. He was killed at Gondolin's fall, when his tower fell down over his head.

Etymology

His name is the Sindarin form of his Quenya title Turukáno, which means something like "Ruling Lord". His father-name was Sarafinwë, "Wise Finwë".